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Lower leagues prove quality

Top-flight clubs are turning to talent on their doorsteps

QUIZ question: which league houses the clubs where 14 of the 23 footballers in the most recent England squad began their careers. The Premier League? Think again. Try the Football League.

Michael Mancienne was not among that 14 but, as further testimony to player development in England's lower divisions, won his selection without ever having appeared in the top flight. While Mancienne was schooled by Chelsea, the Championship, where he has excelled on loan at Queens Park Rangers and Wolves, has been his university. There may not be others ready to graduate straight to Three Lions duty but several other young players are tipped to step, within the coming months, from the Football League to levels above.

When the transfer window opens in a little more than five weeks, Championship and League One clubs will be braced for predators. As many as 10 Premier League clubs are believed to have